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Monday, February 28, 2011

I had to work today. Tomorrow too. You know, that real work crap. That stuff that isn't any fun and takes forever but gives you 2 nickels to rub together. Sometimes.

Then there is the real work I want to do. The writing work. But, I have to do the first work to get to the second work. Arrg!

It's important to take a break from writing too, I know that. Don't want to burn out.

Yeah, right!

If only I was on an amazing roll that I needed to take a break from...if only!I was discussing with my 'editor', aka Suz, some of my Caine story. I was telling her how I had all these scenes planned out in my head and they were so easy to imagine about but were going to be so much harder to write.

And I say to myself...What the hell was I thinking? What do I know about battle scenes? How do I coordinate all these people? How do I write this so that its believable?But, for one of the first times while I have been writing (for too many years to count) I really want to get into the nitty gritty of it.

I want to write about the fur flying and blood spattering. I want the magic to spin out of control and the death toll to be high. I want to write about fangs and pain and sex.

Sheesh. Maybe I do need a break.

Still interested in book suggestions if you have any. Really just trying not to write what has already been written but I also enjoy the stories. Werewolf or werewolf/vampire. I would say that I have read the major authors but I know there are others out there.

Friday, February 25, 2011

I was going to wallow about not being chosen for the second round on the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest but, I really hadn't expected to be picked anyway.

So, no wallowing.

Sure, I was disappointed but the very same day I received two messages from people who read part two of my book that I posted on this blog and both said they wanted to keep reading.I'm sure my pitch sucked. I didn't show it to anyone. I didn't ask for the blog communities advice. I really kind of half-assed the entry and that means it's my fault for not being chosen.Moving on...Writing is a little slow but that's to be expected. I had a good run at the beginning of the week and now I need to make some important decisions about what happens next to Caine, Reese and the pack. There are so many paths that I could take with them but I don't want it to sound like other books.

Speaking of other books...I have read my fair share of werewolf stories and vampire/werewolf stories, but, if any of you guys have suggestions I would appreciate them.

And then, Caine came along. I do like Caine. I don't 'like' like him...well, maybe a little. But, I am completely obsessed with him. I'm thinking about him all the time. What he's going to say. What he's going to do. What he looks like. What he sounds like.

And I'm wondering if that is what has been wrong with me all along.

My first story about Colin, well, I was obsessed with Colin too. I had carefully created him for many years from bits and pieces of wonderful rock legends. He was my ultimate rock star and I was his ultimate fan.

Picture the Bruce Springsteen video from the eighties where he picks the young and beautiful but unsuspecting girl from the audience to dance on stage with him during the song. We all know now that it was an actress and she was paid to do that but wasn't that the best fantasy? Was I the only one who concocted an entire love story for them after they left the stage?So, obsession. Perhaps that is what actually motivates me to write. Perhaps my last two male characters haven't been 'all that and a bag of chips' and I'm not obsessed enough with them. Perhaps I need to work on those guys some more, make them more interesting and appealing to me, so that they will be the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think of at night.

I can't tell you what a small but important breakthrough this has been for me. I always assumed it was the story idea that fed me but now I guess it's simply ... the guy.

And truly...I'm okay with that!

While waiting patiently for the end of February to come to find out about the Amazon/Penguin Breakthrough Novel contest I just read Rachel Firasek's blog post from Kendall Grey called The Five Stages of Contest Grief. Wow. Very funny and very true.

For too long I have allowed others to determine my self worth with their opinions. I will always care what people think about my writing but I shouldn't change what I do or how I do it just because of them.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

"What I love about the questionnaire is you can either answer the questions with all the truth in your heart, or you can approach them with creativity and cleverness -- finding answers or deliveries no one else has ever come up with. But which ever way you go, each of your answers will be revealing, telling us interesting things about you."From: Nicole Ducleroir

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1. What is your favorite word? Rhubarb

2. What is your least favorite word? But.Because it’s usually followed by bad news…usually.

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Music.

4. What turns you off? Stress.

5. What is your favorite curse word? Fuck!In the right context.

6. What sound or noise do you love? My son and husband laughing together.

7. What sound or noise do you hate? The alarm clock.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Before I wanted to be an author, I wanted to be a rock star.

9. What profession would you not like to do? Anything with numbers.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? We’re closed for remodeling.

Monday, February 14, 2011

His large hands gripped her hips
sliding her up his body until her mouth was just inches away. Although he was
almost desperate to taste her lips he just continued to watch her until she
finally lifted her gaze to his.

He hoped to see interest or even
curiosity shining from those eyes but it was her undisguised need that
sent him over the edge.

Jack brushed his lips over hers
slowly, giving her plenty of time to change her mind but Maggie’s hands tightly
gripped his upper arms. Lowering his mouth again he finally tasted those lips
that had haunted him for months. They were full and soft and warm and they parted
beneath his so he could dip his tongue between them.

A shudder ran through them both
as he took another taste and another. His hand crushed into her hair and tilted
her head so he could deepen the kiss. His long buried desire for her began to
uncurl in the pit of his stomach.

He wanted more, another kiss, another taste. His arm
banded around her to pull her up closer...

I can't post any more than that or I will have to change my blog settings!

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I purposely chose not to join any Valentine blogfests or contests. It's not that I don't love LOVE, you know I do, but I already bitched about the holiday so I didn't feel I could participate without looking like a hypocrite.

So, instead I posted this partial scene from Maguire's Corner. Jack and Maggie's story. It takes place just moments after the scene I posted for the Page 99 Blogfest.

Since Caine and 'the girl who shall remain nameless cause I can't figure out her stupid name' haven't kissed yet, I had to use Jack and Maggie. They have kissed but haven't made it much further than that. Shame. They are going to be pretty hot in the sack together if I can ever get them there. I get the feeling Caine and [insert epic name here] are going to have a love fest long before I get back to Jack and Maggie.

We shall see.

So, what's going on?

Writing is going on...which is always good.

Won't hear about the Amazon/Penguin thing until the end of the month so I have to let that go.

(Really, Heather, let it go.)

Must start making some plans for the A to Z blogging challenge coming up in April. I don't want half ass that. It should be fun. Still time to join if you are interested.

Had a few people express interest in reading more about Colin and Riley and I may post some more shortly.

Monday, February 7, 2011

I haven't written very much in Caine's story lately but the other day I opened it up and started reading over from the beginning.

I do that a lot.

Then I realize that even though I am trying to write a supernatural-esque or paranormal-ish story I have left those elements out.

Whoops.

There is a lot of important information that I am leaving out. Terms. Abilities. Senses. Feelings. Physical reactions.

I guess I will need to do some research.

Ha!

In other words, an excuse for not writing.

But really. I know there are a ton of werewolf stories out there. But I don't want to just regurgitate what others have written before.

"You read what others had done and you took the next step. You didn't earn the knowledge for yourselves, so you don't take any responsibility... for it. You stood on the shoulders of geniuses to accomplish something as fast as you could..." Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park.

I don't want to reinvent the wheel either.

There is something to be said for simple. I don't want to confuse myself or anyone who might read the story. But I also want to weave a believable tale.

Are you buying any of this?

I think I need to make a list. Did I mention that I like to make lists? I have never made one for writing but I make lists for about everything else in my life.

First some research, then make a list for this story so that I can remember to add important details.

On an unrelated note...

So, there is a new tab at the top of my page. I have posted an excerpt of my completed book Setting the Record Straight. If there are enough interested parties I will post some more.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

In space no one can hear you scream . . .but in blogland they can. Why not sign up and on the 6th February count down your top ten horror/science fiction movie quotes? Do ten for each, a mixture, or just one category. It's up to you!

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This was awesome. I chose to mix my horror and sci-fi movie quotes. There were so many great movies to choose from. But I think the best part was going through the quotes (thank you IMDB) and 'watching' the movies again in my head. Makes you want to watch these films all over again.

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Here is my top ten horror/sci-fi in year order.

Jaws (1975) - “Sometimes that shark he looks right into ya. Right into your eyes. And, you know, the thing about a shark... he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll's eyes. When he comes at ya, doesn't seem to be living... until he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white and then... ah then you hear that terrible high-pitched screamin'. The ocean turns red, and despite all the poundin' and the hollerin', they all come in and they... rip you to pieces.” Quint

Alien (1979) - "Jesus, It's a robot. Ash is a god-damn robot!" Parker

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) - “Any show of resistance would be futile, Captain.” Spock

Terminator (1984) - “Listen, and understand. That terminator is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.” Reese

Predator (1987) - “She says the jungle... it just came alive and took him.” Poncho

Sphere (1998) - “I would be happy if Jerry had no emotions whatsoever. Because the thing of it is once you go down that road... here's Jerry, an emotional being cooped up for 300 years with no one to talk to... none of the socialization, the emotional growth that comes from contact with other emotional beings.” Norman

“So...?” Harry
“What happens if Jerry gets mad?” Norman

iRobot (2004) - “I think it would be better not to die, don't you?” Sonny

Shaun of the Dead (2004) - “Look, I don't care what the telly says, all right? We *have* to get out of here. If we don't they'll tear us to pieces, and that is really going to exacerbate things for all of us.” Shaun

Serenity (2005) - “You had a gorram time bomb living with us! Who we gonna find in there when she wakes up? The girl? Or the weapon?” Capt. Reynolds

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Sorry for the lapse in blog posts but you see I have been outside for 2 days trying to clear my driveway and sidewalk from the snow, ice and freezing rain that arrived in a most unwelcome fashion. Yes, I deserve it, I live in the Northeast but that doesn't mean that I have to like it.

It also hasn't given me much time or energy to write.

I did put in some work on the werewolf story. (Really going to have to find another working title for that. It just sounds, well, dumb when I put it that way. I guess I could just call it Caine's story for now.)I did put in some work on Caine's story. That was constructive and more importantly it felt good. (Sounds better.)

Did some blog reading recently too. Lots going on out there in blog land, blogfests and contests and such.

Had a nice discussion in the comments section of a post over at Chatterbox Chitchat about...you guessed it...posting your work online.

It's an interesting topic.

Of course I read it just after I decided to post some of my work on my blog.It's still a mystery why publishers/editors/agents won't touch your work after it has been 'published' online.

I know I shouldn't be so annoying but as soon as someone tells me that I should or shouldn't do something I get defensive and feel the need to push back.

Write this way, don't do this, take out that, use this font, do this, read that, make this like that.

It can make a writer dizzy.

I guess the only advice to take is to take all advice in moderation. A little of this and a little of that could add up to be the right combination.

Saw this yesterday...

Romance Junkies 2011 Writing Contest-Taking theplunge into the new year contest!

Sponsored by Carina Press!

Since Carina already rejected my only completed book I don't think I should enter it into this contest. I would have to read the guidelines and rules to find out more.

But, I think that you can read the entries and possibly win prizes too so you may want to check that out.Better go tackle some indoor chores that were intentionally ignored while I labored outdoors.

2017. Done.

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